Colombians march to demand Farc peace deal be revived

Thousands of Colombians have taken part in marches to demand that a peace deal signed by the government and Farc rebels be upheld.

In Bogota, the capital and largest city in Colombia, families of victims were given white flowers by well-wishers to symbolise peace.

The agreement, reached after years of negotiation, was rejected by a slim majority in a national referendum earlier this month.

Campaigners for the “No” vote have demanded a series of changes.

Farc leader Timoleon Rodriguez, better known as  “imochenko”, said on Wednesday he was confident the deal could be revived although he said he would be reluctant to re-negotiate some elements of the accord.

In a show of support for the agreement, thousands of students, farmers and indigenous leaders congregated in front of congress in Bogota.

Thousands took part in the march in Bogota
Thousands took part in the march in Bogota

“All Colombians must work on building peace,” said Carmenza Pinto, 64, who was displaced by the war.

“We must strive for a better future and forgiveness is the best example we can give.”

Speaking earlier, Timochenko said he had held several meetings with government negotiators in the Cuban capital, Havana, to try to find a way around the impasse.

He said he was confident the deal could be resuscitated.
‘Good news soon’

“This is a conflict that has gone on for many years and opened deep wounds,” he told Caracol Radio.

“We must join forces and together apply healing balm to the wounds. We will have good news soon.”

However, he said he would be reluctant to re-negotiate one of the most contentious clauses which includes a provision for reduced jail terms for rebels who confess to human rights abuses.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for reaching the peace agreement.

He has said he will donate the prize money to help the victims of the conflict.

This article originally appeared on BBC.com

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